Herbal Allies – Compounding the Effects of Medical Marijuana

Below is a very small sample of herbs that are known to work together with Cannabis to potentially compound the positive effects of intaking cannabinoids. They can be used in many different forms including capsules, teas, tinctures, essential oils, or salves. The use of synergistic herbs can help to amplify the efficacy of the cannabinoids in cannabis oil by way of the entourage effect.

The majority of the information on this page was provided by Wendy Read with The Caretaker’s Garden.

Herbal Allies: Herbs known to work synergistcly with cannabis

Inflammation

Hydrotherapy with cannabis tea/tincture

• Warming herbs: Ginger, Cayenne, Turmeric
• Cooling herbs: Chickweed, menthol
• Solomon Seal, St. John’s Wort

Sleep

Try higher CBD ratios if THC is too stimulating

• Valerian  – acts as a body sedative for most (acts as a stimulant for some)
• Passion Flower – mental sedative
• California Poppy, Hops, Chamomile
• Avoid teas, alcohol, or diuretics before sleep

Anxiety

• Oat Straw
• Nettles
• Catnip
• Hops
• Tulsi
• Scents or medicine with Lavender
• Lemon Balm
• Rose Geranium
• Citrus

Depression

• St. John’s Wort
• Peppermint
• Lemon Balm
• Caffeine (judicious use)

Pain

• Salicylates: Willow, Meadowsweet
• Indian Pipe (Pedicularis): nervine, relaxes muscles next to spine
• Lavender and Menthol essential oils, topically
• CA Poppy, Opium Poppy (addictive, can cause constipation)

Antispasmodic/muscle relaxant

• Indian Pipe (Pedicularis – muscles next to spine)
• Chamomile
• Valerian
• Black Cohosh
• Cramp Bark
• Lavender

Antioxidants

• Blue and Purple Berries
• Oranges
• Green tea

High Blood Pressure

• Cayenne
• Hawthorne
• Dandelion

Blood Sugar Regulation – Hyperglycemia

• Burdock
• Dandelion
• Golden Seal
• Oregon Grape
• Ginseng
• Fenugreek

Digestive/Colon disorders

• Bitter herbs (stimulate gastric juices)
• Calendula (demulcent, astringent)
• Fennel (digestion)
• Chamomile (digestion, antispasmodic, calming)
• Mint (contraindicated for acid reflux/heartburn)
• Raspberry, strawberry, or blackberry leaf or root (diarrhea)
• Clay (cleansing/detox)

Expectorant / Bronchial Dilator

• Sage
• Mullein
• Elderberry
• Nettle
• Eucalyptus essential oil

Bone Stimulation

• Alfalfa
• Nettle
• Horsetail
• Comfrey
• Boneset